Psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors influence the way we think about ourselves and others, as well as how we interact with others.

The connection between how people think about themselves and others is complex and affects social interactions. The interplay between thoughts about ourselves, thoughts about others, and our biology has important implications for our sense of self and interpersonal relationships.

Foundational Concept 8 focuses on the physical, cognitive, and social components of our identity, as well as how these components influence the way we think about and interact with others.

With these building blocks, medical students will be able to learn how to communicate and collaborate with patients and other members of the health care team.

Training in a Residency or Fellowship

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health care through innovative medical education, cutting-edge patient care, and groundbreaking medical research. Its members are all 152 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 51 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 80 academic societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC serves the leaders of America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and their more than 173,000 full-time faculty members, 89,000 medical students, 129,000 resident physicians, and more than 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences.